Cialis is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and also treats benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). It uses a component called PDE5 inhibitors which are used by pharmaceutical companies in the production of ED treatment. The main competitor for Cialis is Viagra, but more people are going for Cialis nowadays. Why is this so?
Advantage of Cialis over Viagra
Unlike Viagra, Cialis can be administered for daily use at a lower dose. In the case of Viagra, the dose is usually high and is effective for one time use when you anticipate sexual activity. On the other hand, Cialis can be used daily which is good for spontaneous sexual activity. Daily use improves blood flow to the penis to treat ED and can be used without any harm to the user because of low dosage (2.5mg or 5mg). Cialis has been dubbed “The Weekend Pill” because its effects last up to 36 hours and can be used on Friday and be effective until Sunday. This is because it has a longer half-life than Viagra which is taken thirty minutes before sexual activity and whose effects wear off after some hours.
Patent issues
As you might be aware, patents usually last 15 to 20 years before needing to be renewed. Upon expiry of the patent, competitors can come in and manufacture the same product under their own brand names. Viagra, for instance, was introduced in 1998 in the US but have managed to increase their patent to 2020. They saw their profit margins slashed when their Europe patent expired and the market was flooded with erectile dysfunction medication in a short period. Viagra had to lower their prices in Europe in order to compete. Cialis was introduced in 2003, and the US patent expired in 2016 with the Europe patent due to expire in 2017. The patent for Cialis in the US will expire faster than the time for Viagra’s patent because of recent legal issues and newly passed laws in the U.S.
Generic Cialis?
Viagra saw their prices in Europe slashed by up to 90% when their patent expired. While holding on to their US patent, they plan to release a generic version of the drug with Teva Pharmaceuticals. People have been looking for cheaper treatments for ED, and this could tip the balance into Viagra’s favor. However, Cialis also have an ace up their sleeve as they have partnered with a French company (Lilly Pharmaceuticals) to produce over-the-counter Cialis. Cialis is currently administered through prescription by a medical professional.
What does this mean?
People will readily accept lower priced impotence medication as it has been seen in Europe. However, all eyes are on Cialis as they wait for it to be sold OTC. There is no other ED medication that has been measured for daily use, and the only one (Cialis) is available under prescription. If the deal goes through, more people will flock to buy OTC Cialis which lasts longer and is more convenient than its competitor Viagra. The question now is whether they’ll pull it off before their patent expires and the Cialis formula goes public.
